Landscape with the Expulsion of Hagar - Jacob Symonsz Pynas

A detailed pen and wash drawing by Jacob Symonsz Pynas depicting the biblical expulsion of Hagar against a backdrop of grand, Italianate architecture.

This drawing by Jacob Symonsz Pynas depicts the biblical narrative of the expulsion of Hagar. Pynas, a Dutch painter and draughtsman, was part of the pre-Rembrandtist group of artists who travelled to Italy and returned with a fascination for atmospheric, light-filled scenes. His work often features figures set against grand, imaginative architectural structures, a characteristic clearly visible in this composition.

The scene is dominated by a large, multi-storied building with arched foundations and a bridge extending into the distance. The architecture appears somewhat fantastical, reflecting the influence of Italianate ruins on Dutch artists of the period. In the foreground, the figures of Abraham, Hagar, and Ishmael are rendered with expressive, fluid pen strokes. The artist uses brown ink and wash to create depth, allowing the architecture to recede while keeping the figures in the immediate foreground. The wash provides a sense of volume and shadow, particularly in the heavy arches of the building and the folds of the figures' garments.

Technically, the drawing demonstrates the artist's skill in combining narrative detail with a sense of place. The lines are varied in weight, providing definition to the structural elements while maintaining a sketch-like quality. The composition is balanced, with the figures on the left providing a human scale to the imposing structure behind them. This work offers a glimpse into the artistic practices of the early 17th century, where biblical stories were frequently used as a vehicle for exploring light, shadow, and architectural form. The paper shows signs of age, which adds to the character of the piece, preserving the original marks of the artist's pen.